THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

From our readers

Issue Date: September 13, 2017

Dear Editor:

I'd like to recognize Jim Martell of the Hanson, Onion and Martell Funeral Home for making our community a better place.

His business has featured a beautiful display of flowers for several years " with colorful plants arranged flowing down a set of stairs, giving the appearance of a waterfall of flowers. This year he thoughtfully added two NWT fish to the arrangement.

I really enjoy seeing this creative display, and it certainly leaves a nice impression of both his business and our community.

Thank you for making this a better place to live!

Helen Thibodeau,

Marinette

Editor:

September Mourning(c)

September morn, how could we have known

Of tragedy coming to New York that day

We see with horror, the awful display

Airliners once, now bombs, evil is flown

Watching with friends, yet sadly alone

Smoke and flames engulf the towers

Once symbols of accomplishment high,

Trapped people, falling, calling goodbye

Soon to collapse in thunderous showers,

Reduced to rubble in the next few hours

Then is heard the ensuing report

Of the Pentagon hit, so soon thereafter

More innocent souls sent to their hereafter

No time allowed for bold retort,

Just shock and tears, rash fears to sort

Next we hear of another crash,

But this on rural fields and hills

Passenger heroes preventing more kills

Informed of the prior acts, now become brash

With true courage, terrorists they smash

Lives have been given, taken and saved

Children are orphaned, loved ones are lost

Firefighters, Police, not counting the cost

Murderous conditions they dutifully braved

Results of extremists, by falsehoods enslaved

Those who would twist the will of their god

Who wish to die, taking innocent life,

Should receive our help to end their strife

To die not as martyrs, with a wink and a nod

But in anonymous infamy, for blaspheming God

Our country's not perfect, but we've mostly shown

Compassion to others of the whole human race

Regardless of danger, beliefs, time or place

United we stand, Stars and Stripes proudly flown,

Terrorists beware, you'll reap what you've sown.

Dave Kipp

Wausaukee

Editor, Peshtigo Times:

Communities across the Great Lakes region have been rediscovering their roots in mining " an industry that is significant to our heritage, central to our culture, and vital to our economy. From nickel and copper to zinc and gold, these precious minerals are proving that mining means good jobs as well as a protected environment, thanks to technological innovation and proper regulation.

In other words: Mining may extract resources from the earth, but these days we don't have to choose between a strong economy and a healthy environment. We can have both.

In Wisconsin, a handful of local communities " including those in beautiful Marinette County " have the opportunity to benefit from a project in Michigan. This is the result of an area rich in zinc and gold that was discovered across the Wisconsin border in Lake Township, Michigan. In addition, the "Back Forty" deposit hosts copper, silver, and trace amounts of other minerals. Aquila Resources has received three of the four required permits from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to build the mine. The fourth and final permit is a Wetlands permit with approval expected as soon as this winter.

As a fourth-generation miner myself, I've seen firsthand what mining can mean for a local economy " my father, both grandfathers, and great-grandfather were all miners. And even though the mine is located across the border in Michigan, the economic impact would directly benefit the four-county area of Marinette County here in Wisconsin, and Dickinson, Delta and Menominee counties in Michigan.

The potential for economic growth is exciting and real. A study conducted by the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) shows the economic impact would be sizeable, significant, and welcome to the region. According to UMD's Labovitz School of Business and Economics, the Back Forty Mine would generate more than 150 direct, permanent jobs and 100 indirect jobs in the region. Back Forty would create not only mining jobs but also economic growth and activity in a variety of fields, including construction, wholesale trade, maintenance, repair, restaurants, retail, accounting, and healthcare services. The tax revenue generated would exceed $20 million annually for local, state, and federal governments " which means more money for roads, schools, and other services essential to hard-working families.

Marinette County's involvement in the project is unique " it has the opportunity to benefit from nearby jobs and economic growth, without a single inch of its surface giving way to mining. That's an even more remarkable opportunity than is already offered to the other nearby counties in the form of safe and responsible mining practices.

Naturally, some groups will be concerned about mining no matter the economic opportunities it provides. But this does not have to be an either-or proposition. We have the technical know-how and experience to ensure that mining is conducted safely while preserving and protecting the beautiful natural resources that Wisconsin and Michigan share.

Throughout the process we will hold ourselves to the highest of standards and use the best available technology. From start to finish, we will implement strict, safe, and sensible requirements that will result in clean water, clean air, and a clean footprint in Menominee County.

The community has expressed particularly concern over water quality and we want you to know that the entire site is designed to manage and protect water. For example, all water that comes into contact with mining activities, such as rainwater and snowmelt, will be collected in one of two lined water collection basins, from there the water is sent to an on-site water treatment plant where the quality of treated water must meet or exceed drinking water quality standards. Once the expected eight-year mine life is complete, the site will be reclaimed " at no cost to the taxpayer " to a self-sustaining ecosystem that is compatible with existing uses on adjacent properties.

We want to work with the community that have a stake in our project to ensure economic prosperity in the region and at the same time protect the natural environment that we all enjoy.